Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 187 "You certainly have a talent for twisting the truth, Your Highness. Pray tell, who is it that truly abandoned whom? Do you not feel a pang of guilt as you speak? Of course, that is if you still possess a conscience," Selena said, utterly exasperated. She, abandon him? The man truly had no sense. She almost laughed. Honestly, she did That trace of ironic amusement in her eyes felt like fire to Frederick, burning and stinging him with both pain and anger. He opened his mouth to speak, yet found no adequate words. Was he to scold, to rebuke, or to curse?

In the end, he suddenly realized he looked like a fool. His emotions surged so violently that his wound flared up in sharp pain. Frederick's expression shifted, his face quickly draining of color until it was completely pale. Selena let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. "Your Highness, your injuries are far from healed. You ought to be resting at home, rather than forcing yourself to be out and about. If the wound reopens, recovery will be far more difficult." It couldn't be denied that he was a strong man.

Being on various battlefields for so many years had forged a body that could withstand far more than ordinary men. Most would have lain ---- bedridden for weeks from such severe injuries, yet he could already wander about after just a few days. However, her casual words of concern only stoked his anger further. "Since you've chosen Nathaniel, don't put on any pretenses in front of me! | will no longer be fooled by your false affection!" the prince snapped.

"| assure you that | am not concerned for you, and therefore you need not imagine any false sentiment from me," Selena replied, her gaze cool. "I merely fear you might collapse here at Blackmoor Estate, only to blame us for your misfortune afterward." "You-" "If there is nothing further, | suggest you return to rest without delay, Your Highness." As Selena lowered her head and stepped back, Frederick ground his teeth in fury. The gentle, understanding woman he had once known was gone. Selena hadn't even said it outright, but it was clear that she'd been putting on a facade all along.

She was truly a venomous woman! "Nathaniel will never truly care for you. You'll regret this!" ---- With that, Frederick turned on his heel and left, as though he was running away with his tail between his legs. He had never felt so utterly humiliated in his life. But no sooner had he stepped out of Blackmoor Estate than a weight settled over him. Some truths only revealed themselves once adrenaline passed, and now, they became sharper and clearer with each passing moment. He felt as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, and where he stood was only the very entrance.

Yet his legs felt weak, and the pit seemed to deepen with every passing moment. When Frederick returned to Hawthorne Estate, Ruth was already there. "Selena intends for the Duke of Blackmoor's household to participate in the Autumn Hunt under its own banner!" she said. Andrew's efforts to keep it under wraps had worked perfectly. Everyone outside already knew, but the harem ladies were only hearing about it today. "Fred, haven't you and Selena already reconciled?

Why would she act this way?" By forming a team of their own, the Duke of Blackmoor's household was declaring to the world that they had no ties to Frederick. The so-called heroic journey to rescue her beloved was now a farce! ---- "Fred, do you realize that this makes you nothing but a stepping stone for Selena and Sebastian? How dare they act so brazenly!" "Lwon't let them succeed!" Frederick declared. He clenched his fists so tightly that he could barely draw a full breath, and the fury wracking him brought on a violent coughing fit. Ruth's eyes widened in alarm.

"Someone, fetch the physician!" "No need!" Frederick gritted his teeth, struggling to catch his breath. "I am fine. But this Autumn Hunt..." "Fred, you need not worry. In your father's eyes, you're still the most important," Ruth assured, grasping his hand firmly. Though she harbored her own frustrations with Selena, she couldn't help but feel relief at this news. "His Majesty has decided to postpone the Autumn Hunt by ten days. In your father's eyes, you're the one who matters most! So, you mustn't let him down during this hunt."